Intravenously administered emulsion from a lecithin base and method of preparation

Abstract

An emulsifier from lecithin base prepared by solvent extraction can be used for intravenous administration. The lecithin base is obtained by filtering or centrifuging, subjecting a solution of a starting lecithin which is soluble in alcohol, in a mixture of alcohol and water, with a defined alcohol:water ratio, to solvent fractionation. Glycerine and soya oil are added to form the emulsion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of intravenous treatment comprising the intravenous administration to a host of an emulsion from lecithin base having the following physico-chemical parameters: (1) ratio between Pc and Pe from 7:3 to 6:1, preferably 4:1,   (2) Pc content from 65 to 85% by weight, preferably from 75 to 80% by weight,   (3) residual fat content less than 2%,   (4) pyrogen-free in the rabbit test according to the European Pharmacopoeia (1975), vol. 2, page 56 et seq.,   (5) clearly soluble in ethanol at 5% concentration,   (6) clearly soluble in chloroform at 10% concentration,   (7) maximum water content 2.5%, preferred maximum 1%,   (8) maximum peroxide number 5, preferred maximum 1 (determined according to the DGF standard method F-1 3b (68).   
     
     
       2. Method of providing lecithin intravenously into the human body comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a distilled water lecithin dispersion by treating a phospholipid mixture which contains phosphatidylcholine (Pc) and phosphatidylethanolamine (Pe) dissolved in alcohol with sufficient water to cause the partial precipitation of undissolved components of the phospholipid mixture;   (b) heating glycerine and refined soya oil separately;   (c) adding the heated glycerine to the lecithin water dispersion;   (d) adding the soya oil by intense stirring;   (e) homogenizing the resulting mixture;   (f) decanting the emulsion;   (g) and then sterilizing and administering intravenously.   
     
     
       3. Method of claim 2, wherein the lecithin dispersion is 1-2% of the total mixture. 
     
     
       4. Method of claim 2, wherein the refined soya oil added is between 10 and 20%.